L3Harris Technologies has formed a partnership with Joby Aviation to develop a new class of gas-turbine hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft for U.S. defense customers. The craft, derived from Joby’s S4 air-taxi platform, will be capable of operating with a pilot on board or fully autonomously and is designed for low-altitude missions such as contested logistics, electronic warfare and counter-drone operations. Initial flight testing is slated to begin this fall, with operational demonstrations targeted for 2026, the companies said on Friday. No financial terms were disclosed, but both firms said the collaboration is intended to lead to a production contract with the Department of Defense. The tie-up marries Joby’s advanced air-mobility research—including recent demonstrations of hybrid powertrains that more than doubled the range of its battery-electric prototype—with L3Harris’s experience integrating military avionics, sensors and communications gear. Executives from both companies said the hybrid approach could offer a faster, lower-cost alternative to traditional helicopters for short-range battlefield support.